First Mortgage v. Cal. Casualty Ins. CA4/2 ( 2015 )

Filed 4/23/15 First Mortgage v. Cal. Casualty Ins. CA4/2
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION TWO
FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION,
Plaintiff and Appellant, E059442
v. (Super.Ct.No. CIVRS1203622)
CALIFORNIA CASUALTY OPINION
INSURANCE COMPANY et al.,
Defendants and Respondents.
APPEAL from the Superior Court of San Bernardino County. Thomas S. Garza,
Judge. Affirmed.
Law Office of Robert E. Dougherty and Robert E. Dougherty for Plaintiff and
Appellant.
Murtaugh Meyer Nelson & Treglia, Lawrence J. DiPinto and Thomas N. Fay for
Defendants and Respondents.
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I
INTRODUCTION
Plaintiff First Mortgage Corporation (First Mortgage) appeals from a summary
judgment granted in favor of defendant California Casualty.1 Defendant was the insurer
of residential real property in which First Mortgage held a security interest. When the
property was damaged by fire in January 2007, defendant issued a check to the property
owner and to First Mortgage. The owner cashed the check and did not share the proceeds
with First Mortgage. First Mortgage did not file its lawsuit against defendant until May
2012. We hold First Mortgage’s claim was time-barred and we affirm the summary
judgment.
II
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
As alleged in the complaint and set forth in defendant’s summary judgment
motion, only one material fact was purportedly disputed as discussed below.
Defendant issued a fire insurance policy to a Sun City residence owned by Leslie
Bollockus, the named insured. The mortgage lender on the property was First Mortgage.
One condition of the policy was that an action against defendant be brought within two
1Three companies are separate but related entities: California Casualty Insurance
Company, California Casualty Management Company, and California Casualty
Indemnity Exchange. For the purposes of this appeal, we treat them as a single
defendant.
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years of the date of loss. In its opposing separate statement, the only fact purportedly
disputed by First Mortgage is the applicability of the two-year limitation period in the
insurance policy. However, First Mortgage offered no evidence in support of its
contention that the two-year limitation does not apply. All of First Mortgage’s arguments
are based on legal issues.
Bollockus reported a fire loss occurring on January 8, 2007. On August 24, 2007,
defendant issued a settlement check in the amount of $179,025, payable to Bollockus and
to First Mortgage, and mailed the check to Bollockus. Provident Bank cashed the check
for Bollockus on August 28, 2007, without obtaining an endorsement from First
Mortgage.
On February 7, 2008, First Mortgage learned about the loss and the issuance of the
insurance check. Bollockus had died so the information was provided by her sister. First
Mortgage did not confirm until October 8, 2009—more than two years after the date of
loss of January 8, 2007—that the settlement check had been cashed. First Mortgage
apparently expected that defendant would pursue a claim against Provident Bank.
However, that claim expired three years after August 28, 2007, on August 28, 2010.
First Mortgage contacted defendant again on September 29, 2011—more than four
years after the date of loss and after the insurance check was cashed in August 2007.
First Mortgage then filed its lawsuit on May 10, 2012—more than five years after the
date of loss.
The trial court granted summary judgment, based on the two-year limitations
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period under the insurance policy and the four-year statute of limitations for breach of a
written contract. (Civ. Code, § 337.) Additionally, the court granted summary judgment
on the grounds that First Mortgage had received constructive possession of the settlement
check and because Commercial Code section 3309 did not apply.
III
DISCUSSION
1. Standard of Review
Summary judgment was properly granted in this case if there were no triable
issues of material fact and defendant was entitled to judgment as a matter of law: “The
purpose of the law of summary judgment is to provide courts with a mechanism to cut
through the parties’ pleadings in order to determine whether, despite their allegations,
trial is in fact necessary to resolve their dispute. [Citation.]” (Aguilar v. Atlantic
Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal. 4th 826, 843; Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (c).)
Defendant was entitled to summary judgment if it established a complete defense
to First Mortgage’s causes of action, or showed that one or more elements of each cause
of action cannot be established. (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (o); Aguilar v. Atlantic
Richfield Co., supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 849.) Once defendant met its initial burden of
production, the burden shifted to First Mortgage to demonstrate a triable issue of material
fact. (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (p)(2); Aguilar, at pp. 850-851.)
The trial court bases its determination on the issues as framed by the pleadings and
on the evidence submitted by the parties: “In determining the propriety of a summary
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judgment, the trial court is limited to facts shown by the evidentiary materials submitted,
as well as those admitted and uncontested in the pleadings. [Citations.] The court must
consider all evidence set forth in the parties’ papers, and summary judgment is to be
granted if all the papers submitted show there is no triable issue of material fact in the
action, thereby entitling the moving party to judgment as a matter of law. (Code Civ.
Proc., § 437c, subd. (c).)” (Committee to Save the Beverly Highlands Homes Assn. v.
Beverly Highlands Homes Assn. (2001) 92 Cal. App. 4th 1247, 1261.)
On appeal, we conduct a de novo review of the record: “We examine the evidence
and independently determine its effect. [Citation.] We must uphold the judgment if it is
correct on any ground, regardless of the reasons the trial court gave. [Citation.]”
(Committee to Save the Beverly Highlands Homes Assn. v. Beverly Highlands Homes
Assn., supra, 92 Cal.App.4th at p. 1261.)
The same principles apply in the insurance context: “‘We apply a de novo
standard of review to an order granting summary judgment when, on undisputed facts,
the order is based on the interpretation or application of the terms of an insurance policy.’
[Citations.] [¶] In reviewing de novo a superior court’s summary adjudication order in a
dispute over the interpretation of the provisions of a policy of insurance, the reviewing
court applies settled rules governing the interpretation of insurance contracts.” (Powerine
Oil Co., Inc. v. Superior Court (2005) 37 Cal. 4th 377, 390.)
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2. Interpretation of Insurance Contract
Having independently reviewed the parties’ combined separate statements, we
conclude there is no evidence of material facts in dispute. The uncontradicted evidence
establishes that a fire loss occurred on January 8, 2007, and First Mortgage did not file its
complaint against defendant until May 2012, more than five years after the loss.
In view of the undisputed facts, our task is to apply the three-step process for
interpretation of an insurance contract to decide whether there is coverage. (AIU Ins. Co.
v. Superior Court (1990) 51 Cal. 3d 807, 821-822.) The ordinary rules of contractual
interpretation include the fundamental goal of giving effect to the mutual intention of the
parties. When clear and explicit contractual language governs, intent is to be inferred
solely from the written provisions of the contract if possible. (Powerine Oil Co., Inc. v.
Superior Court, supra, 37 Cal.4th at p. 390, citing Bank of the West v. Superior Court
(1992) 2 Cal. 4th 1254, 1264 and AIU Ins. Co., at pp. 821-822.) An insurer is entitled to
limit its coverage to defined risks and, if it does so in clear language, courts will not
impose coverage where none was intended. (National Ins. Underwriters v. Carter (1976)
17 Cal. 3d 380, 386.) Whether a clause is ambiguous and whether an insured has an
objectively reasonable expectation of coverage in light of the insuring language are
questions of law. (Schrillo Co. v. Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co. (1986) 181
Cal. App. 3d 766, 775-776.)
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3. The Statute of Limitations
First Mortgage argues the “date of loss” was not January 8, 2007, and the two-year
limitations period set forth in the insurance policy does not apply. Instead, First
Mortgage contends the date of its actual injury is a material disputed fact. First Mortgage
argues that its cause of action against defendant did not accrue until February 29, 2012,
when defendant’s lawyer wrote a letter denying First Mortgage’s demand for payment.
The application of the statute of limitations is a question of law. (International
Engine Parts, Inc. v. Feddersen & Co. (1995) 9 Cal. 4th 606, 611-612.) The court may
grant summary judgment based on the statute of limitations despite a challenge to the
purported uncertainty of the accrual date. (Southland Mechanical Constructors Corp. v.
Nixen (1981) 119 Cal. App. 3d 417.)
In this case, it is not disputed First Mortgage discovered on February 7, 2008, that
the fire had occurred on January 8, 2007. First Mortgage admittedly did very little
investigation. When First Mortgage contacted defendant on October 8, 2009, it learned
the insurance check had been cashed but the copy of check did not clearly show the date
when it had been cashed. First Mortgage did not learn finally until September 29, 2011,
that the actual date the check had been cashed was in August 2007. It is uncontradicted
that First Mortgage did not file its lawsuit for more than five years after the loss occurred
and more than four years after the insurance check was cashed. First Mortgage’s claims
were barred by the two-year limitations period of the insurance contract.
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First Mortgage’s claims were also barred by the four-year statutory limitation for a
complaint based on a written contract. (Code Civ. Proc., § 337; Abari v. State Farm Fire
& Casualty Co. (1988) 205 Cal. App. 3d 530, 535, fn. 2.) First Mortgage offered no
disputed facts at all to support its argument that the four-year period did not begin to run
until there was a default in loan payments, apparently as of December 6, 2010.
Nonpayment on the mortgage by Bollockus, or her estate, had nothing to do with
payment of insurance proceeds. There are also no disputed facts submitted concerning
First Mortgage’s legal assertion that its cause of action against defendant did not accrue
until February 29, 2012, when defendant’s lawyer refused First Mortgage’s demand for
payment. The refusal occurred more than five years after the loss and more than four
years after defendant had paid the loss. First Mortgage’s belated demands could not
revive an already stale claim.
4. Equitable Estoppel or Tolling
First Mortgage also improperly raises a new legal issue on appeal—equitable
estoppel or tolling of the limitations period. (Mills v. Forestex Co. (2003) 108
Cal. App. 4th 625, 652; California Restaurant Management Systems v. City of San Diego
(2011) 195 Cal. App. 4th 1581; Lantzy v. Centex Homes (2003) 31 Cal. 4th 363, 370-371,
379.) “An estoppel against a limitations defense usually ‘“arises as a result of some
conduct by the defendant, relied on by the plaintiff, which induces the belated filing of
the action.”’ [Citations.] [¶] ‘“Four elements must ordinarily be proved to establish an
equitable estoppel: (1) The party to be estopped must know the facts; (2) he must intend
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that his conduct shall be acted upon, or must so act that the party asserting the estoppel
had the right to believe that it was so intended; (3) the party asserting the estoppel must
be ignorant of the true state of facts; and, (4) he must rely upon the conduct to his
injury.”’ [Citation.] [¶] Application of equitable estoppel against the assertion of a
limitations defense typically arises through some misleading affirmative conduct on the
part of a defendant.” (Spray, Gould & Bowers v. Associated Internat. Ins. Co. (1999) 71
Cal. App. 4th 1260, 1267-1268.)
Here defendant did not engage in any conduct intended to delay First Mortgage.
First Mortgage cannot identify any evidence that defendant knew facts and, intended that
its conduct should be acted upon, or acted so that First Mortgage had the right to believe
it was so intended. Instead, even though defendant informed First Mortgage of the loss
and the issuance of an insurance check, First Mortgage did not protect its interest in a
timely way. Equitable estoppel or tolling does not apply under these circumstances.
First Mortgage also accuses defendant of violating insurance regulations (Cal.
Code Regs., tit. 10, § 2695.4, subd. (a)), by not disclosing “the benefits, coverages, time
limits or other provisions” of the insurance policy, presumably the two-year limitation
period. First Mortgage has supplied no facts to show it was a “first party claimant or
beneficiary” as identified under the regulations. In fact, First Mortgage did not make any
claim on the insurance policy until 2012. For that reason, there is also no basis to apply
principles of estoppel. (Doheny Park Terrace Homeowners Assn., Inc. v. Truck Ins.
Exchange (2005) 132 Cal. App. 4th 1076, 1991, fn. 11.)
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5. Commercial Code Section 3309
Independent of its single cause of action for breach of an insurance contract, First
Mortgage also argues it has a statutory right of recovery under Commercial Code section
33092, which allows enforcement of a lost, destroyed, or stolen instrument. Notably,
First Mortgage did not base its complaint on this statute. Nonetheless, we agree with the
trial court that First Mortgage cannot assert a claim under Commercial Code section
3309. In both state and federal cases, the courts have held section 3309 only applies
where the insurance check was lost, destroyed, or stolen, (Bank of America Nat. Trust &
Sav. Assn. v. Allstate Ins. Co. (C.D. Cal. 1998) 29 F. Supp. 2d 1129, 1145), or where the
endorsement may have been forged. (See Crystaplex Plastics, Ltd. v. Redevelopment
Agency (2000) 77 Cal. App. 4th 990, 1000 [Fourth Dist., Div. Two].)
2 Commercial Code section 3309: “(a) A person not in possession of an
instrument is entitled to enforce the instrument if (1) the person was in possession of the
instrument and entitled to enforce it when loss of possession occurred, (2) the loss of
possession was not the result of a transfer by the person or a lawful seizure, and (3) the
person cannot reasonably obtain possession of the instrument because the instrument was
destroyed, its whereabouts cannot be determined, or it is in the wrongful possession of an
unknown person or a person that cannot be found or is not amenable to service of
process.
“(b) A person seeking enforcement of an instrument under subdivision (a) shall
prove the terms of the instrument and the person’s right to enforce the instrument. If that
proof is made, Section 3308 applies to the case as if the person seeking enforcement had
produced the instrument. The court may not enter judgment in favor of the person
seeking enforcement unless it finds that the person required to pay the instrument is
adequately protected against loss that might occur by reason of a claim by another person
to enforce the instrument. Adequate protection may be provided by any reasonable
means.”
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Instead, the undisputed facts in this case demonstrate that Provident Bank accepted
the check for payment to Bollockus without requiring an endorsement from First
Mortgage. The check was not lost, stolen, or destroyed; the endorsement was not forged.
The conduct by Provident Bank and Bollockus did not give First Mortgage the right to
sue defendant many years after the loss was sustained and the check was negotiated.
(Bank of America, at p. 1145.)
IV
DISPOSITION
The only material dispute identified by First Mortgage involved whether the two-
year limitation period applied. We have independently reviewed First Mortgage’s legal
arguments and conclude the trial court properly granted summary judgment. We affirm
the summary judgment and order defendant, as the prevailing party, to recover its costs
on appeal.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
CODRINGTON
J.
We concur:
RAMIREZ
P. J.
HOLLENHORST
J.
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